READ: Hebrews 12:1-13
“The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” – Job 17:9
Satan is a very persistent being. In the temptation of Jesus, he left the Lord only for a season. Any time you are dealing with a demonic attack, you must be aware of this nature of persistence. You must counteract it with an even more persistent determination to be free. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness to take a short cut. Satan asked him to bow down as a quick way to avoid having to suffer. Some years later, Satan came through Peter and opposed the idea of suffering on the cross (Matthew 16:21,22). Once again, Jesus had to rebuke Satan. Even later, Pontius Pilate askedJesus, “Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” (John 19:10).
This was another suggestion that Jesus could avoid the cross. Even while Christ was on the cross, men wagged their heads and suggested that He come down from the cross to prove that He was the Son of God. “Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.” (Mark 15:31,32).
Satan never gave up until Jesus died. Satan will never give up until you and I are dead. You may be seventy years old but he may still try to deceive you. We are dealing with a persistent enemy.